Rating System

Mark R. Madler The City Council on Tuesday night approved the adoption of an ordinance aimed at minimizing construction impacts to the environment, and reducing the amount of construction debris taken to landfills. Builders would be offered incentives of fee reductions from 5% to 15% to incorporate reduction of energy and water consumption; improved indoor quality; and renewable resources into their buildings under the voluntary ordinance unanimously accepted by the council.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved a motion that would mandate that all nursing homes publicly display their federally issued rating. Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who pushed for the action, and his four colleagues on the board will now write to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature, asking them to adopt the rating system. “This vital information equips families to make informed decisions about the care for their loved ones,” Antonovich said in a statement.

Gary Moskowitz Daily High School English teacher Jon Livingston wasn't surprised to learn that at least one of his students thinks of him as "an uptight version of Pee Wee Herman" who "needs to take a chill pill." If anything, seeing those comments on the website www.RateMyTeachers.com caused Livingston to chuckle, because he knew right away that the comments referred to one isolated incident and don't reflect his overall ability to teach. RateMyTeachers.

Mike McDonald In recent days we have learned about a new way to report student, school and district achievement to members of the educational, parent and business communities served by the Burbank Board of Education. This reporting system is called the Academic Performance Index and it is being used statewide to rank all California public schools in relation to each other and in relation to other schools with similar characteristics and demographics.

Scott seeking award nominations BURBANK -- Nominations are being sought for the fifth annual Women in Business Awards. The event is sponsored by state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Burbank), Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Burbank) and Assemblywoman Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge), and will recognize outstanding women business leaders in the legislators' districts. The nomination categories include: Small Businesswoman of the Year, Corporate Woman of the Year, Nonprofit Executive of the Year, Nonprofit Employee of the Year, Empowerment Award, Most Inspirational, Woman in Science and Technology, Woman in Entertainment, and the Tami Ginsburg Award for Small Business Employee.

Mark R. Madler Arsenic has been found in the ground where Burbank Unified School District plans a new community day school, but city officials do not anticipate it will delay the project. The city has started the process of removing the arsenic-tainted soil where the $9.2-million Robert Ovrom Park will be built. The project includes a recreation center and day school, playgrounds, and a basketball court. The arsenic is contained to a small area, or hot spot, and is not a danger, said Philip Clifford, the city's capital projects manager.

Employees of Keller Williams Realty offices in Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge are enlisting in an effort to send donations to military personnel serving our country abroad. The public is asked to bring donations such as personal-care items and snacks - DVDs, beef jerky, phone cards, toothbrushes and other such items - to the Thank a Soldier Barbecue and Care Box Assembly day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Keller Williams Realty office parking lot in Burbank, 401 S. First St. In return, the public is invited to a free lunch with live entertainment and family activities.

BURBANK — Splurging on a pastry in the morning just got a little healthier in Burbank. This month, Starbucks stores in Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles were among the first in the nation to drop trans-fat ingredients from their food menus. And for those who rely on the company's menu to get through the morning, change is good. "I usually get something here every day on my way to work, so a little less fat is good," Los Angeles resident Nery Maldonado said as she left Starbucks on Glendale Avenue.

School board substiuting empty words for action I take extreme displeasure at this promotional display of "Edu-Speak" presented in Mr. Mike McDonald's letter about the new state Academic Performance Index ("State's new school rating system," Feb. 2). Mr. McDonald states: "The API is a part of an overall program to provide the public with information about how well the schools are educating students. The accountability will also give educators valuable information they can use in designing training programs for teachers and modifying class work to better address the academic needs of specific groups of students within a school."

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved a motion that would mandate that all nursing homes publicly display their federally issued rating. Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who pushed for the action, and his four colleagues on the board will now write to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature, asking them to adopt the rating system. “This vital information equips families to make informed decisions about the care for their loved ones,” Antonovich said in a statement.

Mark R. Madler The City Council on Tuesday night approved the adoption of an ordinance aimed at minimizing construction impacts to the environment, and reducing the amount of construction debris taken to landfills. Builders would be offered incentives of fee reductions from 5% to 15% to incorporate reduction of energy and water consumption; improved indoor quality; and renewable resources into their buildings under the voluntary ordinance unanimously accepted by the council.

Gary Moskowitz Daily High School English teacher Jon Livingston wasn't surprised to learn that at least one of his students thinks of him as "an uptight version of Pee Wee Herman" who "needs to take a chill pill." If anything, seeing those comments on the website www.RateMyTeachers.com caused Livingston to chuckle, because he knew right away that the comments referred to one isolated incident and don't reflect his overall ability to teach. RateMyTeachers.

Mike McDonald In recent days we have learned about a new way to report student, school and district achievement to members of the educational, parent and business communities served by the Burbank Board of Education. This reporting system is called the Academic Performance Index and it is being used statewide to rank all California public schools in relation to each other and in relation to other schools with similar characteristics and demographics.